An Overview of Varroa Control

 
 

There is No Easy Answer.

All beekeepers must deal with varroa mites.

Adequate varroa control is a tool to reduce colony losses.

Each method of varroa control has a variable efficacy, depending on in-hive conditions.

Generally, a combination of control methods appears to be the most effective for year-round infestation pressure.

How Varroa affects the colony

Varroa mites feed on an important organ in developing brood called the fat body. This alters the expression of genes related to stress response, immunity, nervous system function, metabolism, and behavioral maturation.

Varroa Mites host a litany of diseases that they pass onto the bees. One of the most visually obvious is Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). In general, the presence of any malformed bees at any time should ring alarm bells to initiate varroa control.

How and Why to Sample Mites

Varroa treatments are pesticides (even the natural ones). By taking a needs-based approach, a beekeeper reduces unnecessary exposure to their bees, and reduces the accumulation of harmful residues in wax and honey.

Varroa mites can be sampled in three ways: measuring natural mite fall onto a sticky board, performing an alcohol wash, or counting reproducing mites in pupa cells.